Tsirang District recently hosted a series of workshops under Project Mikhung 2.0, an initiative implemented by the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD) to strengthen inclusive and participatory planning at the local government level. The project aims to enhance the capacity of local leaders and empower citizens to contribute meaningfully to community development through values inspired by Gross National Happiness (GNH).
Building Capacity for Inclusive Local Planning
Thirty-seven local leaders from 12 gewogs took part in a six-day workshop focused on GNH-based participatory planning. The workshop introduced practical tools and approaches to strengthen consultative and evidence-based planning, enabling leaders to identify needs, analyze issues, and prioritize development initiatives more effectively.
Participants gained hands-on experience in applying analytical tools covering social, economic, gender, environmental, and service delivery perspectives, helping them design development plans that are inclusive, transparent, and community-centred.
“All local development must emerge from the people themselves and align with the philosophy of GNH,” said Phub Dorji, Gup of Sergithang Gewog.
Amplifying Community Voices
Following the training, Community Empowerment Workshops were held across the 12 gewogs, beginning with Sergithang and Phuentenchu. The sessions provided a platform for citizens to share experiences, challenges, and aspirations related to local decision-making.
While communities expressed keen interest to participate, many felt existing mechanisms limited their influence. Youth and women shared that their views were often heard but not reflected in decisions. Key concerns raised included delayed communication, limited transparency, and unclear budget processes.
Citizens proposed practical steps to improve participation and accountability, such as:
- Establishing digital notice groups
- Conducting chiwog-level consultations
- Sharing public budget information regularly
Strengthening GNH-Inspired Local Governance
Project Mikhung 2.0 continues to bridge the gap between citizens and local governments by enhancing leadership capacity and strengthening community participation. Tsirang’s experience shows that communities are willing and ready to engage—systems and processes must now evolve to make their involvement more meaningful.
Through continued collaboration and dialogue, the project contributes to building stronger, more inclusive, and GNH-inspired local governance across Bhutan.
